Chilcote v. Von Der Ahe Van Lines

RODOWSKY, Judge.

On this appeal we address a fundamental question under the Maryland version of the Uniform Contribution Among Tort-Feasors Act (the Md. Act). 1 Three tortfeasors are involved, M, a master, M’s servant, S, and a third defendant, T. The plaintiffs and T settled before trial under a pro rata release. M and S went to trial and a jury has valued the plaintiffs’ claims. Under the Md. Act and the terms of T’s release the total verdict is to be reduced by T’s pro rata share. Is that share one-half or one-third? Our answer is one-half, as explained below.

The case arises out of a…